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Purpose: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that mainly affects women, deteriorating the quality of life of these patients. Resistance exercise (RE) has been shown to be beneficial in this disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of RE for depression, fatigue, and sleep quality in women with fibromyalgia. Design and Methods: A systematic review with meta‐analysis was conducted until September 1, 2024. Seven databases were searched as follows: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Dialnet, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Randomized clinical trials were conducted in women with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, including RE as the only intervention in any of the groups and to assess depression, fatigue, and sleep quality. For meta‐analyses, we calculated the standardized difference of means and its standard error. A random‐effects model was used. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). PROSPERO Registration: CRD42021256162. Findings: Eleven trials were included in the systematic review and eight in the meta‐analysis (n = 664). RE showed statistically significant improvements in depression (SMD = −0.54; 95% CI [−0.92, −0.16], p = 0.005) and fatigue (SMD = −0.83; 95% CI [−1.41–0.25], p = 0.005). No significant differences were found in sleep quality (SMD = −0.99; 95% CI [−2.40, 0.43], p = 0.17). In general, the methodological quality of the included trials was good. Practice Implication: RE is an effective tool to improve depression and fatigue in women with fibromyalgia, achieving clinically relevant improvements of more than 50% in symptoms related to depression. RE did not show benefits for sleep quality, although this finding may be due to a lack of studies. More studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of RE on sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Maintaining physical activity (PA) has significant implications for health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults aged 18–64 should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate‐intensity aerobic PA per week. However, urban‐rural disparities and economic geography variations in PA levels have not received enough attention. This study aimed to examine these disparities in the likelihood of meeting PA recommendations by using data from the Study of Community Sports in China. Methods. This is a nationwide cross‐sectional community‐based study. A total of 5,000 participants were randomly selected using a multistage sampling strategy. They were asked to complete a survey including demographics data and PA levels. The data were analyzed using mixed‐effects logistic regression to evaluate the association between urban‐rural residency, economic geography regions, and the likelihood of meeting PA recommendations. Results. A total of 3,779 participants met the eligible criteria, and only 816 (21.6%) met the PA recommendation. The urban participants were more likely to meet the PA recommendation than their rural peers [OR (95% CI) of 1.72 (1.09, 2.71)]. The association remained significant among those aged ≥30 [OR = 2.53 (1.51, 4.24)] and those with the education of high school and below [OR = 1.88 (1.18, 1.77)], but not in their younger, and more‐educated peers (Pinteraction = 0.009 and 0.034, respectively). Compared with the east coastal residents, western ones had a greater chance of meeting the recommendation [OR = 2.68 (1.25, 5.74)]. The association was more prominent among the more‐educated [OR = 3.89 (1.58, 9.57)] than the less‐educated [1.90 (0.83, 4.35)](Pinteraction <0.001), but not modified by age. Conclusion. Urban and western residents were more active than their rural and east coastal counterparts. Studies should carefully consider the interactions between age and education level with urbanization and region while evaluating PA levels. Moreover, policymakers should develop policies and programs according to urban‐rural disparity and regional variations to shorten the gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth with higher levels of resilience and self-efficacy are less likely to engage in aggressive behaviors or be victims of bullying. Previous anti-bullying approaches have often achieved no reduction in bullying behavior. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of 12 weeks of extracurricular multilateral teaching on the risk for students (aged 14–16 years) to be involved in bullying. Sixty male students were allocated to an experimental group (n = 30) that performed psychoeducational activities combined with physical exercise training and team games (90 min, 2d · week–1) or a control group (n = 30). Before and after the intervention, we used the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28) to assess individual capacities and resources, relationship with primary caregiver, contextual factors, and total resilience; and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) to measure academic, social, emotional, and total self-efficacy. Four participants from the experimental group withdrew. Significant improvements of crucial relevance were found for the resilience and self-efficacy scales (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. We found that multilateral teaching may improve resilience and self-efficacy in adolescents and make them less likely to engage in aggressive behavior or be bullied. Multilateral teaching should be considered an effective alternative to the anti-bullying approach, highlighting the crucial role of physical education teachers in the promotion of proactive educational strategies to reduce bullying behaviors.

Objective. This study used a random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel model (RI‐CLPM) to explore the longitudinal relationship between cognitive function (CF) and subjective well‐being (SWB) for older adults and investigate if older adults with cognitive decline can be happy. Older adults were divided into two groups according to gender, and the effect of gender with different groups on CF and SWB was discussed. The effects of age, marital status, self‐rated health, exercise, and education level on the CF and SWB were investigated. Methods. This study adopted a longitudinal design and selected 4,672 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), which spanned 3 time points from 2008 to 2014 (N = 4,672). The mean age was 78.18 years (SD = 9.75, range = 61–111) and 2,238 (47.9%) were males. The CF was measured using the cognitive function scale, and the SWB was measured using 6 questions related to positive and negative emotions from CLHLS. Results. (1) The chi‐square difference test between the two models further showed that the RI‐CLPM fitted data significantly better than traditional CLPM (∆χ2 (3) = 203.656, p < 0.001). The RI‐CLPM was more suitable for this study than the CLPM. (2) This study examined whether the relationship between CF and SWB for older adults was bidirectional or unidirectional. The article only partially supported them, which indicates that including the gender role was successful. (3) Self‐rated health, exercise, and education level had a significant positive impact on both CF and SWB. The only distinguishable factor that affects CF between males and females is the marital status. The effect for female CF is not significant (β = −0.001, p = 0.961), but the effect for male CF is significant (β = −0.146, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Gender discrimination is necessary to better understand the impact of cognitive decline on SWB. Female older adults with cognitive decline could be happy, but male older adults could not. Male CF is more affected by marital status than females. It is more important to care about the cognitive decline of unmarried male older adults. Older age and unmarried males are risk factors for older adults, but better self‐rated health, more regular exercise, and continuous learning are the protective factors for older adults. These risk factors need to be prevented and these protective factors should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationships between burnout among doctors and nurses and stress levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods. The study was carried out as a cross‐sectional design. The sample consisted of 258 nurses and doctors working at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Cebeci Research and Application Hospital. Data were collected between April and October 2021 using a sociodemographic form, the Burnout Measure Short Version (BMS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale‐II (HLBS‐II). T tests, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc (Tukey, LSD) analyses were used to analyze the descriptive characteristics and scale scores of the participants. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between scale scores and continuous data. Regression analysis was performed to define the reason and result relationship between the scales. Results. As a result of the correlation analysis, a positive, moderate relationship was found between the participants' PSS total scores and BMS total scores (p < 0.05). There was a moderate and weak statistically significant relationship between the participants' PSS and BMS total score average and HLBS‐II total score and subdimensions (p < 0.05). In addition, it was determined that there was a statistically significant and negative correlation between the participants' PSS and BMS total score average and the HLBS‐II total score and subdimensions (p < 0.05). After the regression analysis, the relationship between the reason and the result among the total PSS, BMS, and HLBS‐II scores was found to be significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The results obtained from this study revealed that the rising burnout and stress levels of nurses and doctors during the pandemic decreased the level of healthy lifestyle behaviors and led them to use negative coping methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational health is a major problem in modern work environments. Physical activity breaks (PABs), short exercise periods delivered during working hours, incorporating exergames or outdoor activities, have emerged as a novel approach that could be used to improve work efficiency and workplace wellbeing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of PABs on attention levels and executive functions in healthcare workers. A total of 27 healthcare workers (M = 14, W = 13; 49.55 ± 12.46 years), after 4 h of work, randomly performed one of three 10 min conditions weekly in a counterbalanced order: No Physical Activity Break (NPAB); Outdoor Physical Activity Break (OPAB); Physical Activity Break with Exergame (PABEx). After the conditions, executive functions and selective attention were assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and the Trail Making A,B test (TMT A,B), respectively. Significant differences between OPAB and NPAB as well as between PABEx and NPAB in the TMT-A test χ2(2) = 44.66 (p < 0.001) and TMT-B test χ2(2) = 48.67 (p < 0.001) were found, respectively. TMT-A and SCWT interference/time scores of the PABEx and OPAB conditions were significantly lower than those of NPAB (p < 0.001). In the SCWT interference/error score, no significant difference was found between the PABEx and NPAB (p > 0.05), but the score was statistically lower in the OPAB condition than PABEx (p = 0.001) and PABEx condition compared to OPAB for TMT-A (p = 0.001). Findings showed that the OPAB and PABEx conditions are effective in improving selective attention and executive functions in healthcare workers. Employers can foster a healthier and more productive workforce by promoting a culture of movement and prioritizing employee health, which in turn can enhance patient care outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Police officers may be required to use their firearms in self-defence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between hand grip size and strength with pistol shooting accuracy in police officers. Twelve (age = 38.08 ± 6.24 years; height = 174.42 ± 7.33 cm) police officers had their hand sizes (palm width and hand span) and hand grip strength measured. Handgrip dynamometer was set at a Glock 17 pistol's grip width (50 mm). The officers fired 10 rounds from their service pistols at a stationary target. Independent samples t-tests were performed to identify differences between the sexes. Correlations were used to investigate relationships between measures of hand size, strength, and marksmanship. Alpha levels were set at p < 0.05. Male officers were significantly stronger (p = 0.01) and had a bigger hand width (p = 0.03), but not hand span. There were no significant differences in marksmanship between the sexes. Neither hand size nor grip strength had a significant impact on marksmanship even though there were strong and significant relationships between hand size (span and MCP) and grip strength. A V-shaped curve appears to exist between grip strength and marksmanship and hand span and marksmanship, with a potential influencing factor being the standard sizing of the pistol grip.

Aim. This study was aimed to investigate whether the practice of laughter yoga in nursing students who just started university can help them cope with stress. Design. An experimental randomized controlled study was conducted. Methods. The research was conducted with first‐year students (n = 38) who were willing to participate in the study. The intervention group took part in six 45–50 minute laughter yoga sessions twice a week for three weeks. Results. The comparison of the mean and total scores obtained from the Coping Behavior Inventory and Physio‐Psycho‐Social Response Scale by the participants in the control and intervention groups before and after the implementation of the laughter yoga practices demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference between the two tests in the intervention group and the difference was especially evident between the pre‐ and posttest scores obtained from the Coping Behavior Inventory. Conclusions. In this study, laughter yoga practice helped the participating nursing students who just started university to cope with stress. It can be recommended that laughter yoga should be integrated into the curriculum in schools where nursing education is provided as a way of coping with stress, that its use should be expanded, and that randomized controlled experimental studies in which its physiological and psychological effects in different groups are investigated with objective and subjective parameters should be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor exercise is beneficial for psychophysical well-being. Limited studies have compared outdoor and virtual reality (VR) indoor physical activities, especially in coastal settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of outdoor coastal walking and indoor walking in a VR simulation with a similar environment on physiological and psychological variables in healthy adults. A total of 26 subjects (14 M and 12 F, age 25.2 ± 2.5 years) voluntarily participated in this crossover randomized controlled and counterbalanced study and were allocated under three conditions: VR indoor walking (INVR), outdoor walking (OUT) and standard indoor walking (IN). IN and INVR conditions were performed on a treadmill (speed 4.5 km/h) and the OUT was performed on a seaside pedestrian road. The same outdoor environment was displayed in the visor during the INVR. Heart rate (HRmean/max), physical activity enjoyment (PACES-It) and state of mindfulness for physical activity (SMS-PA) were assessed at the end of each condition. The OUT condition showed significantly greater PACES-It scores and HRmean than IN and INVR (p < 0.001) and greater SMS-PA scores and HRmax than IN (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). No significant differences were found between OUT and INVR regarding HRmax and SMS-PA scores (p > 0.05). Findings suggest that physical activity in an immersive technology may lead to physiological loads comparable to the outdoor environment. OUT is more enjoyable than IN and INVR but exhibits a mindfulness response comparable to INVR. Therefore, INVR could be an alternative to OUT for those who cannot engage in outdoor activities for various reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine whether menstrual cycle affects body composition and bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) patterns, jumping and sprinting ability, and flexibility in elite soccer players. Methods: A total of 20 elite female soccer players (age: 23.8 [3.4] y, height: 1.63 [0.04] m, body mass: 61.4 [5.9] kg, and body mass index: 22.5 [2.4] kg/m2) were monitored during the early follicular and ovulatory phase across 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Bioimpedance analysis was performed using foot-to-hand technology, and total body water and fat mass were determined by specific equations developed for athletes. Bioelectrical resistance and reactance were adjusted according to the BIVA procedures and plotted as a vector within the resistance–reactance graph. In addition, countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, and sit and reach were assessed. Results: A time effect (P <.05) was found for body mass, total body water, bioelectrical resistance and reactance, and flexibility. Specifically, body mass increased (P =.021) along with a gain in total body water (P =.001) from the ovulatory to the early follicular phase, while it decreased from the early follicular to the ovulatory phase during the second menstrual cycle. The BIVA vector shortened during the early follicular phases (P <.001). No change in jumping and sprinting capacity was observed (P >.05). Flexibility was impaired during the early follicular phases (P <.05). Conclusions: Specific bioelectrical impedance analysis and BIVA procedures are able to detect menstrual cycle–induced changes in body composition in elite soccer players. The early follicular phase resulted in fluid accumulations and BIVA vector shortening. In addition, while menstrual cycle did not affect performance, a fluctuation in flexibility was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plyometric exercise is a major tool for improving explosive actions. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a vertical and horizontal plyometric training program on stretch-shortening performance variables in adolescent soccer players. Thirty-two male soccer players (aged 12.09 ± 0.89 years, with soccer experience 5.37 ± 1.58 years) were divided into horizontal plyometric, vertical plyometric, or control groups. The horizontal and vertical plyometric groups participated in a 6-week training program that was performed twice per week, with a 48-h interval, in conjunction with regular soccer training. The control group participated only in regular soccer training. Vertical jump height, reactive strength index, leg stiffness, ground contact time, standing long jump distance, agility, and 10 and 20 m sprint performances were tested as stretch-shortening performance variables of the participants. Stretch-shortening performance variables were assessed before and after completion of the training program. The results showed that either horizontal or vertical plyometric training had no effect on VJH, RSI, GCT, or Kleg performance (F = 2.14, 1.32, 0.66, 1.03; p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no effect on SLJ, 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, or agility performance (F = 2.06, 0.14, 0.06, 0.27; p > 0.05). A 6-week horizontal or vertical plyometric intervention was found to be insufficient to elicit stretch-shortening performance enhancement in adolescent male soccer players. Although there was no performance change in any group, it was observed that the players enjoyed plyometric training. Therefore, coaches could safely use plyometric exercises to design enjoyable training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]